Eberly News

Public History and Social Work graduate students from the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences reflect on their time serving as Graduate Assistants (GAs) for WVU Libraries. Each had a unique story to tell about the skills and knowledge they gained during their experience.

When West Virginia University biology undergraduate student Isabella Tuzzio tested fish from central Appalachian streams, her research revealed microplastics in every fish she sampled. Tuzzio said her results from the study, which was the first of its kind in Appalachia, suggest significant environmental risks, as well as potential risks to human health.

Long before flash floods damaged communities in Ohio and Marion counties this month, West Virginia University researchers were studying community resilience in flood-devastated areas of the state. The toolkit they developed will help communities better prepare for such emergencies and recover quicker.

West Virginia University researchers are changing how college mathematics is taught by evaluating and sharing a model for problem-solving that supports what students learn in other courses like business or biology.

Fifty-five graduates were inducted as lifelong members into the WVU Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national honor society that recognizes outstanding achievement in the liberal arts and sciences, and champions freedom of thought.

Kathleen Benison, professor in the Department of Geology and Geography, has been elected to the Geological Society of America Council, a leadership body that steers and guides this international organization of over 18,000 geologists.

Three Eberly College graduates will spend an immersive summer abroad studying foreign languages as recipients of the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship. A love for travel and global learning led Ella Dietz to major in international studies and pursue minors in political science and Russian studies. She will travel to Kyrgyzstan. Wyatt Gaines is an international studies major with minors in conservation ecology and geographic information science. Gaines first traveled to Japan as part of the Model United Nations and then again for a 10-month exchange program at Kansai Gaidai University. Christelle Temple graduated with a degree in public relations and minors in leadership and creative writing, she will return to Tanzania to study Swahili.

In this Faculty Spotlight, we talk with Challice LaRose, BSW Online Coordinator for the new online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program! Challice is a two-time WVU graduate with a BA in Philosophy and a Master of Social Work. This upcoming fall semester marks the launch of the BSW program’s first cohort of online students. We spoke with her to get insight into this exciting new offering and the work that goes into it.

Three faculty members in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences have recently been awarded endowed professorial positions.